Google picks LG to build its next generation Nexus Android smartphone

MOBILE DEVICE DESIGNER Google apparently has selected LG Electronics to build its next Nexus smartphone, which might show up at the Google I/O conference later this month.

That's according to the Korean Times, which reported that Google's and LG's respective CEOs Larry Page and Koo Bon-joon recently met in South Korea to discuss working together on Google's next generation flagship Nexus smartphone.

"Larry Page invited Koo for a meeting while he stayed in Seoul last week. They discussed ways to improve their business partnership. The meeting lasted for more than an hour," the newspaper's anonymous sources aid.

The Korean newspaper reported that LG has agreed to work on Google's next Nexus device, relying on Google to boost its smartphone business. It said the smartphone is likely to launch as the Google Nexus 5, suggesting that it will have a 5in screen. It's also likely to run Google's upcoming Android 4.3 mobile operating system and feature a dirt cheap price tag.

While it isn't surprising that LG was quick to sign up for the assignment, it is surprising that Google has picked LG again, despite the Nexus 4 suffering months of delays that Google blamed on its build partner.

Google UK MD Dan Cobley said in December, "Supplies from the manufacturer are scarce, and our communication has been flawed. I can offer an unreserved apology for our service and communication failures in this process."

Despite this, the Korea Times went on to report that Google is looking to grow its business relationship with LG, and added that the firms could also be looking to work jointly on an OLED Smart TV.